Thomas s



Sept. 17, 1929. T. s. KEMBLE TORQUE SYSTEU FOR FOUR-WHEEL DRIVES FORAUTO BUSSES, TRUCKS, ETC

Original Filed July 2, 1924 INVENTO Patented, Sept. 17, 1929 I UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE THOMAS S. KEMBLE, 0F LAKEWOOD, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TOUNIVERSAL GAS ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF LAWRENCE, KANSAS, A CORPORATION OFDELAWARE TORQUE SYSTEM FOR FOUR-.WHEEL DRIVES FOR AUTO BUSSES, TRUCKS,ETC.

.Original application filed July 2, 1924, Serial No.

723,772. Divided and this application flied June 13,

1927. Serial No. 198,659.

My invention, as set forth in the herein after contained description, isa divisional application of my cope'nding application, Serial N 0.723,772, filed July 2, 1924, and relates to that class of automobilesprovided with six wheels, two pairs of which operate' as driving wheels,and has for its object to provide for the location of the motor linksclose together and in the same crosswise plane, which eliminates thetorsion in the cross member and reduces the bending moment to a minimum,because the torque reac tions are in oppositedirections, thus tending toneutralize one another.

My invention has for its further object, to provide a construction inwhich the balls on the motor links will be in a vertical plane crosswiseof the vehicle and through the axis of the cross member of the chassisframe, thus avoiding any torsion in the cross member.

A further object is to locate these balls very close together, thusreducing to a minimum the bending moments in the cross member, as thisconstruction will cause the reactions to neutralize one another to thegreatest extent practice will permit, for, as will be fully understoodby those familiar with the art, when the reaction on one axle, frombraking the vehicle or from the torque produced by driving, is upward,that on the other axle is always downward.

It is also essential, to the proper functioning of this system, that thetorque arm shall constrain the axle assembly only from rotating aboutthe center line of the wheels, but that it shall not constrain the axlefrom other motion, lest it disturb the. otherwise flexible functions ofthe springs.

'My means of accomplishing the foregoing objects may be more readilyunderstood by having reference to the accompanying drawings, which arehereunto annexed and are a part of this specification, in which- Fig. 1is a plan View of a four-Wheel drive, attached to a fragmentary portionof the chassis frame of anauto bus or truck;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view in plan, of the cross member of theframe, showing the motor links and ball connections of my im:

proved torque system; and

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the same, part being shown in verticalsection to more adequately disclose the details of my invention.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the entiredescription.

The frame 1 of the chassis (only a fragmentary portion being shown, asobviously it forms no part of my invention,) has two pairs 'of motors 2and 3, which are connected by suitable gear trains (not shown) towheels, two pairs of wheels 4 and 5. The end plates 6 and 7 of themotors 2 and 3 are connected to a cross member 8 of the chassis frame bymy improved torque system, which is constructed as follows:

The cross member 8 is formed with a central opening 9 which extendsthrough its vertical web, as clearly seen in Fig. 3, and another opening10 in its upper horizontal portion 11. Secured to the cross member 8,adjacent the upper part of the opening 9, are balls 12 and 13. Thecenters of these balls 12 and 13 must be located in the same verticalplane and also in the axis of the cross member 8, and'should be as neartogether as is practicable. The motor links 1 1 and 15 are constructed,as clearly seen in the sectional View in Fig. 3, of a cylindricalsleeve, which is provided with internal threads 16 and 17 at itsrespective ends 18 and 19. An opening 20 is provided adjacent the top ofthe links or sleeves 14 and 15, for the reception of the balls 12 and 13carried by the cross member 8. Isecure a bracket 21 to each of theframes 6 and 7 of the motors 2 and 3, each of which carries a ball 22,similar in shape and location to the balls 12 and 13. Openings are alsoformed in the links or cylindrical sleeves 14 and 15, for the entranceof the balls 22. Sockets for the balls 22 are formed by two plugs 2d and25, which are slidably fitted inside the links or sleeves 14 and 15, andwhich have concave cavities turned on their faces adjacent the balls 22which fit the curvature thereof. A screwthreaded plug 26 is inserted inthe threads 17 in the lower end 19 of each of the sleeves 14 and 15, andserves to hold the plug 25 in place. A coil spring 27 is placed upon theplug 24, and a plug .23, which is similar to 1 the plug 24, is placedthereon. A screwthreaded plug 29, which has its inner end turned to fitthe balls 12 and 13, is screwed into the threads 16 in the sleeves 14and 15 and abuts the balls 22, providing for adjustment,

while the coil spring 27 serves to take up thewear and keep the innersocket plugs 24 and 28 pressing against the balls 22.

It will be apparent from the fore that by the construction justdescribed I furnish a torque system which will fully accomplish' theobjects sought by me, as hereinbefore set forth.

Having thus described my invention, what I regard as new, and desiretosecure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In a vehicle, a four-wheel drive, comprising two axles arranged intandem, a. cross-member having a vertical web secured to the chassisintermediate said axles, there being a central opening in said verticalweb, arms secured to said cross-member adjacent its top, balls on saidarms having their centers located in the same vertical plane and also inthe axis of the cross-member, a

bracket secured to each axle, a ball carried by each bracket, the centerof said balls also being in the same vertical plane as the firstmentioned balls and also in the axis of the cross-member, a pair ofcylindrical sleeves,

' adjustable sockets therein which fit said balls,

there being openings in said sleeves to admit said balls.

2. In a vehicle',-a four-wheel drive, comprisingtwo axles arranged intandem, a

cross-member having a vertical web secured to thechassisintermediate-said axles, there being a central opening in said verticalweb, arms secured to said cross-member. adjacent its top, balls on saidarms having their cells ters located in the" same vertical plane andvalso in the axis of the cross-member, a bracket secured to each axle, 'aball carried by each I bracket, the center of said balls also being inthe same vertical plane 'as the first mentioned balls and also in theaxis of the cross member, a 'pair of cylindrical sleeves, adjustablesockets therein which fit said balls, there being openings in saidsleeves to admit said balls, and a coil spring intermediate saidsockets.

3. Ina vehicle, a

'oing, I

four-wheel drive, com

plane as the first mentioned balls and also in the axis of thecross-member, a pair of cylindrical sleeves mounted close together, andadjustable sockets therein whlch'fit sald balls, there being openings insaid sleeves to admit said balls.

THOMAS S.

prising two axles arranged in tandem, a

cross-member having a vertical web secured to the chassis intermediatesaid axles, there being a central opening in said vertical web, armssecured to said cross-member adjacent its top, balls on said arms havingtheir centers located in the same vertical plane and also in the axis ofthe cross member, a'bracket secured to each axle, a ball carried byeach- .bracket, the center of said balls also, being in the samevertical plane as the 'first mentioned balls and also in the axis ofthecross member, a pair of cylindrical sleeves

